boynton



April 3, 1928.-

J. L. BOYNTON- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TIMING THEUSE OF ELECTRICAL cmcum's y a M e l INVENTOR {T5555 L. BoY/v-ro/v TTOR/VEYS Fill Patented Apr. 3, 1928.

JESSE L. BOYNTON, 015 NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF FIFTY PER GENT TO CHARLES A. MARSHALL. OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TIMING THE USE OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS.

Application filed May 31, 1927. Serial No. 195,394.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for timing or approximately timing the use of electrical circuits and one example of the invention as hereinafter described is particularly adaptable for controlling overtime payments for numerous telephone calls, however the invention in its broader aspects may be employed in connectlon w th various other electrical systems and circuits.

The invention includes among its objects the provision of a suitable method and apparatiis of the class above indicated, which will be simple, effective and dependable in operation and which will neither embody expensive equipment nor absorb any considerable portion of the time and energy of the operative.

Further and more specific objects, features and advantages will more clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this speciiication.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the equipment at an operators position at a telephone central oflicc switchboard such asadapted for the control of numerous telephone calls.

. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical circuit connections for a plurality of signal lamps which may be used according to this invention at several operators positions.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view partly in section showing a sleeve member as one form of electrical circuit marking means, applied to a register key of a switchboard as of Fig.1.

'The invention is-hcre described, by way of example. in the form according to which it may be used for numerous telephone lines connected to prepayment telephones such'as coin ho}; telephones as now widely used in public telephone hooths. In order to give economical and efiicient service for such tele phones. number. usuallyas many as 40 or more. of such telephone lines are arranged to be under the control of each central sta tiou operator. The operator is thereby kept substantially continuously at work in the a: -JPQ of connections and has little or no opportunity to grivetattention to the timing vidual which might be applied individually to each such line to automatically time the calls thereon, would necessarily be comparatively expensive to manufacture and install.

.On the other hand, according to the method of my invention. provision is made at regular predetermined intervals for periodically indicating and checking at one tlme all calls which have continued substantially beyond a payment period. To this end I provide a suitable signal at each operators position for giving an indication to the .operator at regular predetermned intervals of time, which intervals may for example be arbitrary but regular intervals calls the operators attention-to'the fact that at that time certain steps must be taken in regard to overtime calls. According to-the' preferred method of practicing my invention, the operator is provided with numerous marking means intended to be applied, whenever such signal indication is given, to all prepayment 0r otherlines over which calls are being madeat that time. Such marking means may take the form of cylindrical sleeves each of which maybe placed over a register key or other control device iientiiied with a particular line for indicating that a callis being carried by such line at the time thesignal indication is given. All of the lines carrying calls may thus be quickly marked by the operator with sleeves,

and then the operator is free to proceed with the usual duties 'until the next predetermined signal indication is given. Meanwhile as the calls on the various lines thus marked are terminated, the marking is e'llaced. That is, the sleeves may be removed and the calls registered or collections made there-tor as terminated, in the ordinary way. However. it'- any of such marked calls are continued'nntil the next signal indication is given, the lines therefor will be identified by the marking sleeves whichhave not yet been removed. For such calls as these which have extended at least beyond the established :payimentaperiod, the operator may then demand orana'ke suitable records for additional payments before permitting the callstoi-continue. At the sametime the operator will observe the lines carrying calls which are not identified by marking sleeves and will:thereupona-pply marking sleeves to the register keys of such lines. Likewise, during each following measured intcrvalaml at each succeeding signal indication, the operator takes similar steps to check and control overtimepayments i'orwall of the nu merousilines.

,Referring now tothe drawings wherein apparatus islindicatedfor carrying out my invention according to the particular in annerabove outlined, inFig. 1 a panel of asection ofa telephone central stati0n switch* board is indicatedatj 10. It will be understood that ,several'of such panels may be mounted at an operators position to be controlled by 'aisingle operator, or at times by adjacentoperators. "It'will also be understood that numerous operators positions twill usual'lypbe'located side-by-.side along a switchboard in the conventional manner, a single'position being here shown merely for the sake of simplicity.

A group of subscribers multiple? jacks isgindicated atll. Agroup of"out trunk multiple jacks is indicated at 12. An answering jack "-for'each of'the coin box or other: telephone linesyis provided in the group in'dicated'at 13. A ,row of 'back cords and plugs".is indicated at 14:, such plugsbeings-adaptedto plug into the answering" jacks when a phone-user signals in the conventional manner to make a call' A rowof 'front cords. and plugs is indicated "at 15, such plugs 'be-in-gxadapted to plug into the subscribers:multiple-jacks or the out trunk m-ultiple ja-cks,depending upon the destination of the call to be made. A group of line su-pervisoryl'lamp signals of conventional form is indicatedat'lfi; a row of register or.collectl'keys is indicated at 17, each of such keys being designed to register accall whenterminated and before the operator takes down the corresponding connection cords. ilfiistening-in keys and ringing keys: are indicatedrespectively at 18 and 19. The paits of'th-is: apparatus thus far noted may-all" be" of the. conventional type found in modern central oflice equipments.

The visual indicating signal above refferred'to is here shown in the form ofa signal lampbQOlocated at the lower 'portion of 'thesecticn 10. This signal lamp niay be generallydsimilar in construction'to the conventional type of sectional pilot "lamps as indicated at 21 and 22. The circuit connections ofthe lamp 20 may be controlled by a s'uitable'tim-ing device,- one form of which is "hereinafter described. Such device is arshown as bcin in use.

lines over which calls are being made are show-nat 23iand 24, such sleeves here being applied to the first and third reg lster keys which correspond to the first and third pair of plug and cord connections which are here A group of extra sleeves ready for the operators use is indicatcd at '25.

'In the apparatuses above described, it will be observed that whilethe calls are checked every 5 minutes, it will often be possible for a user to continue a call' for a period somewhat longer than 5 minutes. For exa1nple,if connections areniade over-a'line just after a signal indication, the :user would be permitted to continue his call throughout that interval, which would continue for 4 and a fraction minutes and he would also be ahleto continue throughout the succeeding 5 minute interval, thus permitti-ng himtto use the line for a total period of 9 and a fractionminutes. But in actual practice, if'each user continued his call until additional payment were demanded. the highest average length of calhwould be approximately minutes. However, since many of the users w'ill'not continue their call until notified of the expiration of their time, the average overtinrecall will be discontinued orwill'be checked within a time considerably under "7 'n1=inutes. This method will therefore be siblefor llldlVll'll'lEllS'llO continue :a call for a long period oftime, thus often holding a valuable trunk line in use, necessitating ad ditronal tiuuiik'line investments as well as keepi-ng other individuals from using the boothfor indefinite periods. Without such systematic control of the timing, it isunpossible forthe central station operator to proceed with the regular dutics'ot making "line connections and at the same time watch individually a multiplicity of calls. Accordingly,with-payment telephones as now widely used, the users are usually free to continue 'local calls indefinitely.

Central oilices operating in accordance with my invention may collect a substantial amount of overtime revenue, but only from deliberate Wartime use andzthe collection of such: addiare discontinued. the highest average overtime call 1S reduced tional revenue is accomplished substantially without expense or danger of error and trouble beyond the usual operation of the central station switchboard. The operators attention and activities are diverted to the overtime payment matter only when additional payments are actually collected, or when a call is to be terminated.

If it is desired to reduce the highest average overtime call period to a time less than 7 minutes assuming that the established payment period is 5 minutes), an additional signal may be installed to give indications alternately with the first signal, that is, at times half way between the indications of the first signal, so that all calls may be checked at regular predetermined intervals of 2 minutes. To avoid confusion, the two signals should have distinguishing characteristics. For example, the first signal may be a red lamp and the second a green lamp. Corresponding distinguishable red and green sleeves may be provided. Such a second or green signal lamp is indicated at 26 on the drawings. Each time that the red lamp indication is given the operator marks all register keys of calls then being made, with red sleeves. Then, when the green signal indication is given, calls not marked with such red sleeves are marked with the green sleeves. Thereafter whenever a red signal indication is given, additional payment is demanded on all lines marked with red sleeves. and likewise when succeeding green signals are given, additional payments are demanded on lines marked with green sleeves, until such time as the marked calls lVith this arrangement to 6 4 minutes. It will be understood that a.

vtuther plurality of distinguishable signals to be accompanied by corresponding distinguishable markers might be used to further reduce the average period to a time more closely approaching the actual established payment period. However, for most practical conditions oneor two signal lamps will accomplish the desired results without substantially adding to the operators work.

W'ith numerous operators positions sideby-side, it is desirable that adjacent operators should not be simultaneously engaged in checking and registering numerous calls.

ikccordingly. it is desirable to have the respective predetermined signal indications for a series of operators positions given successively in rotation. Suitable circuit connections providing for such operation of the signal lamps is indicated in Fig. 2, wherein signal lamps 20, 26, 20, 26, 20 and 26 are shown for three adjacent operators positions. A rotatable contacting switch is indicated at 27 operated by clockworks to make one complete revolution during each established payment period of, for example, 5

minutes. Around the circumference of this switch a series of contacts is provided, one for each of the several signal lamps to be controlled. These contacts may be individually connected to their corresponding signal lamps and are designed to successively make contact with the rotatable contact arm 28 which in turn is connected to a source of power 29, the opposite terminal of which is connected to all of the signal lamps. With this arrangement. it an operator is engaged in collecting an overtime payment, the adjacent operators, who will perforce, not be thus engaged at the time, will be free to assist in promptly attending to any new calls.

It will thus be observed that a practical method and apparatus is provided which will be highly economical and efficient, and even though a very small amount of the operators time is taken in controlling numerous calls, the possibility of errors and contusion minimized.

It is not desired to limit the invention to the details or specific examples herein described. since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that it is susceptible to various other adaptations and modifications, such as may be made without'departing from the scope of the invention, and I aim therefore in the appended claims to cover all such adaptations and modifications. For exam ple, various forms of line marking or identifying means other than the sleeves will readily suggest themselves, or if desired, groups of lines in use for various periods of time may be classified for identification merely by arranging or using the connection devices in groups, such groups being used alternately or in rotation, and each group being identified with a corresponding distinguishable signal indicator.

hat 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Means for approximately timin and controlling over-time payments for numerous pres-payment telephone calls. the lines for which are under the control ot a central office operator. comprising a signal common to numerous lines "for giving an llltllfdlilOl] to the operator at regular intervals of time equal to an established payment period. in combination with marking means etlaceah e upon termination of calls tor individually marking lines carrying calls at the times of said indications. whereby upon the next signal indication the operator is apprised or" such calls as have extended beyond the established payment period and may then demand additional payments bet'ore permitting such calls to continue.

2. Means for approximately timing and controlling over-time payments for numerous payment telephone ca ls. the lines for which are under the control of a central otlice operator, comprising a distinctive signal common to IHUUQIOHS lines for giving an indication to the operator at regular intervals of time equal to an established payment period. another such signal but distinguislmhlc lronrthe lir-st for giving indications altca-nately with the indications of the lirst u'ientioned signal, and marking means etlaceahleupon termination of calls for iiulividual v marking lines carrying: calls at the times of said imlirations. the marking means corresponding to one signal being distinguishable from the marking'meims corresponding to the other signal, whereby the operator-twice for each i 'iayi'nent period is apprised by said indications of st ch calls as have extended beyond one established payn'ient period.

3. Timing; means for controlling over-tin'ic payments for nun'ierous payment telephone calls, the lines for which are under the con trol of a central office operator. comprising a plurality of distinctive signals each for successively giving distinctiw indication-s to the ope ator at regular predetermined in 'tervals of time, the periods for the respective signals overlapping but being of uniform duration equal to an established payment period, in combination with a plurality of types of distinctive marking n'ieans etlaceable npoirtcrn'lination ot calls for individually ll'lilllilllg lines carrying calls and not previously marked at the times of said indications, the type of marking means applied upon the occurrence of a particular distinctive type of indication. having corresponding distinctive characteristics.

4. Means for approximately timing the use of numerous electrical circuits, the connections for which are under the control of an operator, comprising a signal for giving an indication to the operator at regular predetermined intervals ol time, in combination with eflfaceable marking means for individually marking circuits in use at the times of said indications, whereby upon the next signal indication the operator is apprised of such circuits as used beyond one predetermined. period.

5. Timing means for controlling the use of numerous electrical circuits. connections for which are under the control of an operator, comprising a plurality of dilierent dis- 'l'inctive signals each tor successively giving distinctive indications to the operator at rc-e'ular predetermined intervals of time, the periods for the respective signals overlapping; but being of uniilorm duration equal to an established limited period of use, in combination with. a plurality ol types of distinctive marking means eil'aceable upon tcrn'iination of the use of a circuit for individually marking circuits in use at the limes of said indications, the type of mark ing means applied upon the occurrence of having distinctive characteristics identified with such typeo't indication.

6. Means for approximately timing and controlling over-time payments tor Immerous paymenttelephone calls, the lines for which are under the control ot a central ollice operator, comprising a signal lamp at the operators position for giving a flash attracting the operators attention at regular intervals of time equal to an established payment period, and marking sleeves for individually marking the register keys ot lines carrying; calls at the times of said indications, whereby upon the next signal flash the operator is apprised of such callsas have extended beyond the established payment period and may then demand or make records for additional payments before permitting such calls to continue.

7. Means for approximately timing numerous payment telephone calls, the lines for which are under the control of an operator, comprising a signal for giving an indication to the operator at regular intervals of time bearing a predetermined relationship to an established payment period, and means for individually marking lines carrying calls at the times of said indications, whereby upon the succeeding signal indications theoperator may be apprised of such calls as have extended over a period of payment.

8. Method of approximately timing the use of numerous electrical circuits the con ncctions for which are irregularly set-up and are controlled by an operator, which com- 'prises' giving the operator signal indications at predetermined regular intervals, the operator marking individually the circuits in use at the occurrence of each indication and elfacmg such marking upon termination of the use of each circuit thus marked, or regishiring the continuei'l use of such marked circuits as are still in use upon occurrence of the succeeding indication.

9. Method of controlling over-time payments for the use of numerous telephone circuits the connections for which are irregularly set-up and. are controlled by an operator, which comprises giving the operator signal indications atpredetermined regular intervals, the operator marking individually the circuits in use at the occurrence of each indication and upon the next indication demanding or making records for additional payments for continued use of circuits thus marked.

10. Method of approximately timing the use of numerous electrical circuits the connections for which are irregularly set-up and are controlled by an operator, which comprises giving the operator a plurality of different distinctive signal indications at predetermined regular intervals, the operator marking individually with correuse at the occurrence of each such indication and effacing such marking upon termination of the use of each circuit thus marked, or registering the continued use of such distinctively marked circuits as are still in use upon reoccurrence of the corresponding distinctive indication.

11. Method of controlling over-time payments for numerous pie-payment telephone calls, the lines for which are under the control of a'central ofiice operator, which comprises giving the operator a pronounced visual signal indication at predetermined regular intervals of time equal to an established payment period, the operator marking individually the lines carrying calls at the times of said indications, and eifacing such marking upon termination of calls, and upon reoccurrenceof the signal indication demanding additional payments for any desired continued use of lines thus marked.

12. Method of controlling over-time payments for numerous payment telephone calls, the lines for which are under the control of a central otlice operator, which comprises giving the operator a pronounced visual signal indication at predetermined regular intervals of time bearing a definite relationship to an established payment period, the operator marking individually the lines carrying calls at the times of said indications, and etfacing such marking upon termination of calls, and upon succeeding signal indications demanding additional payments for over-time use of lines thus marked.

13. Means for approximately timing the use of numerous electrical circuits, the connections for which are controlled from a switchboard having a series of side-by-side operators positions, comprising signals at ach operators position for giving indications at regular predetermined intervals of time, in combination with numerous effaceable marking means for individually marking circuits in use at each position at the times of said indications for such position, whereby upon succeeding signal indications the opeartors are apprised of circuits which have been continued in use beyond one complete predetermined period or longer, and means to operate said signals successively in 'rotation at the respective successive operators positions.

14. Method of controlling the times of use of numerous electrical circuits the connections for which are established at lrregular intervals by an operator in response to subscribers demands, which comprises providing signal indications at regular predetermined times to denote the beginning and ending of successive arbitrary intervals each bearing a predetermined relationship to an established period of use for such circuits,

the operator directing attention at each such indication to the control of all circuits in continuous use since the previous such indication.

15. Method of controlling over-time payments for the use of numerous telephone lines the connections for which are established at irregular intervals according to the subscribers demands, which comprises identifying all lines in use at regular arbitrary predetermined intervals, such intervals being equal to an established payment period or to a predetermined fraction thereof, and charging an over-time payment or payments for the use of such identified lines for which connections are set up in one such period and are maintained to the end of the next succeeding period or longer.

16. Method of controlling and charging for the use of numerous telephone lines upon which calls are instituted and terminated at irregular intervals, which comprises arbitrarily dividing the elapsed time into regular intervals equal to an established payment period or to a predetermined fraction thereof, and identifying or classifying, and charging extra amounts for the use of lines for which connections are established in one such period and are maintained to the'end of the next succeeding period or longer.

17. Means for approximately timing the use of numerous electrical circuits, the connections for which are controlled from a switchboard having a series of side-by-side operators positions, comprising signals at each operators position for giving indications at regular predetermined intervals of time, in combination with identifying means at each position showing which circuits are in use at the times of said indications for such position, whereby upon succeeding signal indications the operators are apprised of circuits which have been continued in use beyond one complete predetermined period or longer, and means to operate said signals successively in rotation at the respective successive operators positions.

18. Method of controlling over-time payments for numerous payment telephone calls, the lines for which are under the control of a central ofiice operator, which comprises giving the operator a pronounced visual signal indication at predetermined regular intervals of time bearing a definite relationship to an established payment period, the operator identifying the lines carrying calls at the times of said indications, and upon succeeding signal indications charging additional payments for further use of such identified lines.

19. Method of approximately timing the use of numerous electrical circuits the connections for which are irregularly set up and art controlled by an operator, which comprises giving the operator various distincdistinctive manner the circuits in use at the occurrence of each such indication and charging for the continued use of such (listinctivel-y identified circuits as are still in use: upon reoccurre-nce of the corresponding distinctive indication.

20 Method of upproxin'urtely timing the use of nlnnerous electrical circuits the connectiousfor which are irregularly set up and are controlled by an operator, which coinprises giving the operator alternately difl'eroam:

such different indication and charging for the continued use of: such distinctively identified circuits as are still inuse upon reoccur rence of the corresponding distinctive indication;

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspecification.

JESSE L. BOYNTONr 

